Anti-rotation device

Abstract

An anti-rotation device for use with concentric tubing hangers is disclosed. The anti-rotation device can be used as part of the emergency release system that provides for manually releasing and removing the tubing hanger running tool in the event the hydraulic release mechanism fails. The anti-rotation device can be retrofitted into existing tubing hangers without modification to the surrounding casing or spool body.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An antirotation apparatus for use in a tubing hanger to fasten to said tubing hanger and to unlock a tubing hanger running tool comprising a bracket: a cam body having a longitudinal axis and a means for receiving the bracket;   the bracket having one end pivotally attached to the cam body, said bracket being disposed between said means for receiving the bracket and a means for biasing, wherein said means for biasing is secured to a housing which is secured to the tubing hanger;   said housing further defining a cavity therein for receiving said cam body;   said means for biasing arranged to position the cam body out of said cavity, wherein said cam body is positioned inside said housing.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said cam body defines a slot therein, said slot having a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall connecting the top wall to the bottom wall. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as in claim 2, further comprising a pin positioned in the slot along the longitudinal axis of the cam body, said bracket being pivotally attached to the cam body by said pin. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said cam body has a first generally planar end surface positioned normally to the longitudinal axis,   a second generally planar end surface positioned normally to the longitudinal axis and generally parallel and spaced apart from the first generally planar end surface,   a generally cylindrical surface positioned generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and radiused about said longitudinal axis and having a first generally cylindrical portion adjacent to the first generally planar end surface and a second generally cylindrical portion adjacent to the second generally planar end surface, wherein the slot is formed in the generally cylindrical surface between the first generally cylindrical portion and the second generally cylindrical portion, said slot being oriented in a plane perpendicular to the first generally cylindrical portion and the second generally cylindrical portion and extending into the first generally cylindrical portion to a depth greater than the longitudinal axis,   an arcuate surface positioned across the longitudinal axis from the generally cylindrical surface, said arcuate surface having a generally cylindrical portion radiused about the longitudinal axis positioned adjacent to the first generally planar end surface and extending generally normally to said first generally planar end surface;   a generally frustoconical portion radiused about the longitudinal axis and converging from the generally cylindrical portion of said arcuate surface to the second generally planar end surface;   a first generally planar sidewall bounded by the first end surface, the second end surface, the generally cylindrical surface, and the generally arcuate surface; and   a second generally planar sidewall positioned generally parallel to the first generally planar sidewall and bounded by the first end surface, the second end surface, the generally cylindrical surface, and the generally arcuate surface.   
     
     
       5. An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said first generally planar sidewall is longer than said second generally planar sidewall. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said slot opens into said first generally planar sidewall. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said slot does not open into said second generally planar sidewall. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said slot extends to near said arcuate surface. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the bracket has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the bracket has a vertical axis that is parallel to and coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cam body, wherein the first end of the bracket is pivotally attached to the cam body and the second end of the bracket is fixedly attached to the housing so that the cam body rotates about the vertical axis of the first end of the bracket.   
     
     
       10. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein the biasing means comprises a flat leaf spring means having a first end that is fixed to the housing between the housing and the second end of the bracket, and a second end that is positioned adjacent to the side wall of the slot, said spring means having an arcuate shape. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the housing is attached to a generally cylindrical tubing hanger having a first end, a second end, an inside surface defining an inside diameter and an outside surface defining an outside diameter, wherein the generally cylindrical tubing hanger defines said cavity in the outside surface, said cavity being sized to receive said cam body. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the cam body is received by the tubing hanger so that the first generally planar end surface of the cam body faces the first end of the tubing hanger, the second generally planar end surface faces the second end of the tubing hanger and the frustoconical portion is adjacent to the outer surface of the tubing hanger. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus as in claim 2, further comprising a gripping means positioned in the inside surface of the tubing hanger. 
     
     
       14. A method for mechanically disengaging a generally cylindrical tool having an outside surface and an inside surface, from a first generally tubular member having a first end, a second end, an inside surface and an outside surface, wherein said first generally tubular member is positioned inside a second generally tubular member having an inside surface and an outside surface, said method comprising: positioning a cam body inside a slot machined into the outside surface of said first generally tubular member, wherein said cam body includes a means for biasing said cam body out of the slot and away from said first generally tubular member;   rotating said generally cylindrical tool in a first rotational direction which in turn rotates the first generally tubular member so that the cam body rotates out of the slot in a second rotational direction which is opposite the first rotational direction; and   contacting a face on the cam body with the inside surface of the second generally tubular member.   
     
     
       15. The method of claim 14, further comprising positioning a gripping means on a contacting face of the cam body, so that when the first generally tubular member rotates in the second rotational direction, the gripping means will grip the inside surface of the second generally tubular member. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim 14, further comprising creating sufficient torque to mechanically separate the generally cylindrical tool from the first tubular member without separating the first tubular member from the second tubular member. 
     
     
       17. The method of claim 16, further comprising mechanically removing the first generally tubular member from the second generally tubular member.